Means for positively retaining windows in open or closed positions.



No. 792,817. PATENTED JUNE 20, 1905.

N. R. EVANS.

MEANS FOR POSITIVELY RETAINING WINDOWS IN OPEN 0R CLOSED POSITIONS.

APPLICATION FILED we. 1, 1904.

TTED STATES Patented June 20, 1905.

PATENT FFICE.

NEWTON R. EVANS, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA.

MEANS FOR POSITIVELY RETAINING WINDOWS IN OPEN OR CLOSED POSITIONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,817, dated June 20,1905.

Application filed August 1, 1904- Serial No. 219,150.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NEWTON R. EvANs, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of Richmond, in the county of Wayne, and in theState of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Means forPositively Retaining Windows in an Open or Closed Position, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact specification and being such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make anduse the same.

My invention is intended primarily to be employed in connection withhorizontally-pivoted windows, and more particularly where such windowsare elevated or are some distance above the floor, although theinvention may be used upon other kinds of windows and may be used tooperate doors or blinds with almost equal advantages.

The particular object I have in view is the provision of means foreasily operating and for positively retaining horizontally-pivotedwindows or the like in an open or closed position.

Another object is to provide means for positively retaining windows orthe likein an open or closed position which will be simple, strong, anddurable in construction, positive in action, neat and attractive inappearance, and which can be manufactured and sold at a comparativelylow price.

A still further object is to provide a construction for the operationand retention of pivoted or hinged windows, transoms, or doors wherebythe movements will be positive, yet practically noiseless, and to reduceto a minimum the liability of breakage or inadvertent displacement; and,finally, a still further object is to provide a self-contained andmechanically-complete mechanism which will by spring-pressure retain aswinging or pivoted window or the like in an open or closed position and.which will be easily actuated manually.

Other objects and specific advantages of my invention will be mademanifest and will suggest themselves in the course of the ensuingspecification.

The preferred constructional features I employ are visualized in theaceompanyingdrawings and are correlated in the claims hereunto appended.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectionalview of a window frame, the sash being closed and showing my inventionin elevation and as applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a verticalcross-sectional view of a window-frame, the sash being tilted or openand showing my invention in elevation and as applied thereto. Fig. 3 isan inside face view in elevation of a portion of a window-frame and sashand my invention complete applied thereto. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detaillongitudinal sectional view of the cylinder and connected parts, showingthe constructional features of my invention; and Fig. 5 is a detailperspective view of the pivotal hanger for my invention.

Similar indices refer to and denote like parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

In order that my invention may be the more fully understood andcomprehended, I will now take up a detail description thereof and willrefer to the various parts as briefly and compactly as I may.

In the drawings the letter A denotes a window-sash pivotally mounted ina window-frame B, (only one side of which is shown,) the sash being of asize to neatly fit the aperture in the frame and is carried by a pair ofpivots 1, (only one of which is shown,) which pivots project out fromthe sides of the sash into the opposing faces of the jambs,substantially as indicated in the drawings.

By the above it is apparent that the windowsash is pivotally mounted;and my invention consists more particularly in the means for operatingand for retaining the sash in one or the other of the positions shown inFigs. 1 and 2', the essential portions of the invention being clearlyshown in Fig. 4.

The numeral 2 designates the cylinder,which is closed at its lower endby the head 3, which head has aprotuberance 3 integral therewith, whichextends down, with an aperture 3" therethrough to receive an axle, asthe axle 10*. The opposite or upper end of the cylinder is to be closedby a screw-cap 4:, threaded exteriorl y to the cylinder, with amammiformprotuberance 4 extending out centrally from and integral therewith andwith an aperture extending centrally through said cap 4 and protuberance4 to neatly receive the piston-rod 5 operatively therethrough.

The numeral 6 denotes a double-headed piston whose diameter is somewhatless than is the interior diameter of the cylinder, whose ength isconsiderably extenuated in an axial lirection with the two heads or endflanges 6 tnd 6 of a diameter to neatly lit the interior )f thecylinder, as shown, thus forming a spoolshaped piston adapted to glideinteriorly of the cylinder. A threaded aperture extends centrally fromthe upper end down into the piston to receive the threaded end of thepiston-rod 5.

The numeral 7 denotes a relatively long helical spring disposed withinthe cylinder 2, one end being seated against the head 3 and the otherend being seated against the lower end of the piston 6, with its tensionsuch as to normally retain the piston in the upper end of the cylinder,yet allowing it to be moved down against the torsional force of thespring 7 The numeral 8 denotes a relatively short helical springdisposed within the cylinder 2, one end being seated against the cap 4and the other end being seated against the upper end of the piston 6,with its convolutions encircling a portion of the piston-rod 5, with itstorsion such as to normally retain the piston somewhat below the upperend of the cylinder, yet allowing it to be moved up against thetorsional force of the spring 8.

In this instance it is not intended that the cylinder 2 should beair-tight; but, rather, I have allowed for the free ingress and egressof the air through the apertures 00 and y, formed in the lower part ofthe cylinder 2 and in the cap 4, respectively, as indicated. However, insome instances I may prefer to close said apertures and to allow the airto enter and escape from the ends of the cylinder very slowly to allowthe air to act with or in place of the springs or in connectiontherewith.

In Fig. 5 is shown the hanger, which consists of the plate 9, with thelug 9" extending up integrally from near one end of its face and thenover its central portion, with an aperture formed through the free endportion of the lug 9, and coinciding therewith is an aperture in thecentral portion of the plate 9, which apertures are to tightly receivethe axle 10, which axle projects at right angles to the plate 9 for somedistance beyond the face of the lug 9, and an aperture 1O is formedthrough said axle near its free end to receive a spring-key 11.Screw-holes are formed through the plate 9, whereby it may be attachedto another object, as a window-jamb, by screws.

The numeral 12 denotes a bracket with screw-holes in its feet, wherebyit may be attached to another object, as a window-sash, by screws. Thebracket 12 extends out convergingl y, with an aperture therethrough nearits outer point to receive the pivot 5, formed on and turned at rightangles to the outer end of the piston-rod 5. Near the free end of thepivot 5 is an aperture 5 therethrough to receive a spring-key 13.

The numeral 14 denotes a circular rubber gasket, round in cross-section,adapted to extend around on the periphery of the body of the piston 6,at the same time contacting with the inner wall of the cylinder andbeing adapted to roll on the piston between the two flanges thereof asthe piston is moved up and down in the cylinder, the object thereofbeing to retard the too sudden movement of the piston and also to serveas a packing for the cylinder, if desired. However, the said gasket maybe entirely dispensed with.

Secured near the upper end of the sash A is an eye-plate 15, in whichmay be secured the upper end of the cord 16, and secured to and near thelower end of the sash A is an eye-plate 17, in which may be secured theupper end of the cord 18. Secured to and near the edge of the surface ofthe window-sill is a hanger 19, carrying the revoluble spool 20, overwhich spool passes the cord 18, whereby said cord is prevented fromdrawing against the window-sill.

It will now be understood that the cylinder and its immediate connectingaccompaniments are assembled, as in Fig. 4, the hanger shown in Fig. 5being secured to the jamb of the window-frame, as shown in Figs. 1, 2,and 3. The cylinder is then pivotally secured to the said hanger byinserting the axle 10 through the aperture 3 and then inserting the key11 in the aperture 10. The pivot 5 of the piston-rod 5 is now placedthrough the aperture therefor in the bracket 12, where it is pivotallysecured by inserting the key 13 in the aperture 5", the eye -plates 15and 17, the cords 16 and 18, and the spool 20, with its hanger 19, beingrelatively located and secured in the manner shown and as aboveindicated. It will now be seen that the window being closed, as in Fig.1, the expansive torsion of the spring 7 is such as to retain thewindow-sash in its closed position; but now should the cord 16 be pulleddown the force of the spring 7 will first be overcome, and on beingfurther turned the spring will soon pass its maximum point ofcontraction, after which its torsion will be exerted expansively uponthe window-sash, and thus accomplish the latter part of the movement ofthe sash to bring it to the position shown in Fig. 2, in which positionit is held by the expansive torsional force of the spring 7.

To close the window-sash, the cord 18 is pulled, drawing over the spool20, whereby the same movement and action of the cylinder and spring 7 isrepeated as in opening the window.

It will be noticed that the spring 8 acts IIO simply as a butter torelievethe parts of sudden jars, which might be detrimental to thewindow and to the mechanism.

In this instance I have shown the sash A, pivoted horizontally somewhatabove the center. However, it may be pivoted in the center or even belowthe center, if desired, and the sash may be pivoted or hinged at the topor even at the bottom, and with good results it may be pivoted or hingedvertically or at the sides to swing horizontally with equal or at leastgood results, it of course being understood that I make no claim to theconstruction of the window or its operation, and I even contemplate thatmy invention may be used for purposes other than windows.

From the above it will be seen that I have produced a construction whichwill accomplish the above-named objects in a practical manner, and whileI have shown and described the best means known to me at this time forcarrying out my invention I desire it to be understood that I do notrestrict myself to the exact details of construction shown anddescribed, but hold that any changes or variations therein as wouldsuggest themselves to the ordinary mechanic would clearly fall withinthe limits and scope of my invention.

Having now fully shown and described my invention, what I claim, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. Means for positively retaining windows in an open or closed position,the combination with a window-sash, of a bracket secured to the face ofthe sash, a hanger secured to the window jamb, a cylinder pivoted tosaid hanger, a piston operative in the cylinder, a piston-rod secured tothe piston and extending out and pivotally mounted to said bracket,springs within the cylinder one being con- 4 nected with each end of thepiston, and means independent of the above for opening and closing thewindow, all substantially as shown and described and for the purposesset forth.

2. In combination with awindow-frame and a sash pivoted or hingedtherein, means for opening and closing the sash manually at a distancetherefrom, a cylinder pivoted at one end to the window-frame, aspool-shaped piston operative in said cylinder, a piston-rod 5 extendingfrom the piston through and beyond the upper end of the cylinder, abracket secured to the sash, means for pivoting the upper end of thepiston-rod to said bracket, a helical spring disposed in the cylinder between the piston and the lower end of the cylinder, and a similar butshorter spring disposed between the piston and the upper end of thecylinder, and means for retarding the action of the piston by a gasketsurrounding the piston, all substantially as shown and described and forthe purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to thisspecification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NEWTON R. EVANS.

Witnesses:

R. W. RANDLE, R. E. HANDLE.

